The Nayanars and Alvars were the Tamil poet-saints who played a key role in propagating the Bhakti Movement in Southern India during the 5th-10th Centuries.
The Nayanars were a group of 63 saints devoted to Lord Shiva who lived during the 6th to 8th centuries CE.
The Alwars were Tamil poet-saints of South India who espoused devotion to the Lord Vishnu or his avatar Lord Krishna in their songs of longing, and service.
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This article will further highlight the difference between the Nayanars and Alwars for the IAS Exam
The differences between Naynars and Alvars are given in the table below:
Differences between Nayanars and Alvars
| Nayanars |
Alvars |
| Nayanars were devoted to Lord Shiva and his avatars | Alvars were devoted to Lord Vishnu and his avatars |
| Nayanars were active around the 6th-8th Century AD | Although modern scholars consider the Alvars to be active between the 5th and 10th Century AD, they are believed to have lived between 4200 BCE – 2700 BCE |
| The high priest of Raja Raja Chola I, Nambiyandar Nambi, compiled the hymns into a series of volumes called the Tirumurai. | The hymns of the Alvars were made into a consolidated volume known as Divya Prabandha. |
| The Nayanars were from various backgrounds, including Brahmins, Harijan, and nobles. Along with the twelve Vaishnava Alvars, they are regarded as the important Hindu saints from South India. | The Bhakti literature that sprang from Alvars had contributed to the establishment and sustenance of a culture of devotion as the path for salvation |
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Candidates can use the following links to learn more in detail about the Nayanars and Alvars:
- Bhakti Movement
- Sufism
- NCERT Notes for UPSC Art and Culture
- Difference Between Bhakti and Sufi Movements
- Sufi Saints
- NCERT Ancient Indian History Notes for UPSC
- NCERT Medieval Indian History Notes for UPSC
- NCERT Modern Indian History Notes for UPSC
Difference Between Nayanars and Alvars – Download PDF Here
Frequently Asked Questions on Difference Between Nayanars and Alvars
Q 1. How are Nayanars different from Alvars?
Q 2. How did Nayanars and Alvars gain popularity?
Candidates can find the general pattern of the UPSC Exams by visiting the UPSC Syllabus page. For more articles and exam-related preparation materials, refer to the links given in the below table:
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